Funds worth 50 million rubles will be assigned by Kuban officials to hotels in Anapa
In the picturesque resort town of Anapa, businesses, particularly hotels, have been hit hard by the aftermath of the Black Sea oil spill emergency. The regional government has established a 50-million-ruble ($610,000) emergency relief fund to provide support to struggling businesses, including hotels affected by canceled bookings due to the oil spill [1][5].
However, the specifics regarding direct compensation to hotels or reimbursements to customers for canceled bookings remain unclear [1]. The tourism sector in Anapa has been critically impacted, with hotel occupancy plummeting to around 30% and visitor numbers dropping over 75% compared to the previous year [1][5]. Despite the majority of accommodations (nearly 950 out of 1,600) remaining open, many are offering discounted packages to stay afloat [1].
The Krasnodar Krai administration announced a compensation of 50 million rubles for hotels in Anapa on July 29, with applications for compensation being accepted until August 3 [6]. The compensation is intended to cover costs for canceled bookings, wages, utility and rental payments, advertising, equipment maintenance, and tax payments [7]. Up to 95% of operational expenses or up to 25% of the amount from canceled bookings are eligible for compensation [8]. The compensation will be distributed among Anapa hotels to a maximum of 15 million rubles per participant [9]. The region also plans to compensate up to 50% of expenses for repairing hotel rooms in Anapa [10].
It's important to note that this compensation does not cover the full operational expenses, and it does not include the funds allocated for the oil spill in the Kerch Strait or the Black Sea [11]. The damage from the oil spill is estimated by Rosprirodnadzor to be nearly 85 billion rubles, but this information is not directly related to the compensation for hotels in Anapa [12].
In addition to the emergency relief fund, low-interest loans from the microfinancing fund are available for businesses in Anapa and Temryuk District at rates from 2% to 3.25% [3]. The region also plans to reimburse wages for children's health facilities in Anapa and has allocated an additional 220 million rubles for subsidies to develop tourist infrastructure and support children's camps in Anapa and Temryuk District [4]. Furthermore, the business support system in Anapa and Temryuk District includes tax and insurance contributions deferrals until the end of 2025 [2].
In June, the Russian government allocated nearly 3 billion rubles for liquidating the aftermath of the oil spill in the Kerch Strait [13]. In May, authorities directed 7.5 billion rubles towards producing and installing three protective structures over the sunken fragments of the "Volgoneft-212" and "Volgoneft-239" tankers [14].
As the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial for businesses and travellers to stay informed about any updates regarding booking refunds, hotel compensation, and other support measures. While the emergency relief fund provides much-needed support, it is essential to understand the specifics of the compensation mechanisms for canceled bookings following the Black Sea emergency.
Finances for the struggling hotels in Anapa have been bolstered by the establishment of a 50-million-ruble emergency relief fund, offering support amidst the impact of the Black Sea oil spill. The compensation announced by the Krasnodar Krai administration for hotels includes funds to cover costs for canceled bookings, wages, utility and rental payments, advertising, equipment maintenance, and tax payments.
